Active Practices
Intensive Grazing
The purpose of the grazing project is to demonstrate the economic benefits of grazing livestock
on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land as an alternative once the land is no longer under
contract with USDA. The site is a 40 acre tract due to be released from the CRP contract in
1996. This land was furnished by the landowner at no charge to the project because of the
contract. The landowner also furnishes water and electricity for the project period (April 15
to September 15, 1995). The landowner will not receive economic benefit from this project
during 1995 and 1996, except the existing CRP payment. The Indian Lake Watershed Project was
the operator and agreed to furnish materials (fence, watering system) and facilities to
intensively graze 100 head of steers (average weight 550 pounds) on 40 acres designated by both
parties. The watershed project would also furnish a manager to be responsible for the day to
day operation of the grazing cattle.
Results
The results of the first year showed the existing pasture could not support the 100 head of
cattle originally contracted for the project so the herd was reduced to 60 head. The pasture
forage was tested weekly for nutritional composition. Special barrels were buried to catch
surface water run-off to test for nitrates. The testing showed an average level of four parts
per million, which is far below the safe water level of ten parts per million. The cattle
gained an average of 1.4 pounds per day, yielding a total 351 pounds of beef gained per acre in
the project costing $0.629 pound/gain. The grazing systems can compete with raising crops,
after three to five years of development. After the three-year study, a complete analysis of
the data and cost will determine the economical and environmental value of this practice.
Water Quality Incentive Program (WQIP)
The goal of the Water Quality Incentive Program (WQIP) is to achieve source reduction of
non-point source agricultural pollutants in an environmentally and economically sound manner.
The project team currently has experienced staff to effectively offer a high-quality
WQIP. The
goal is to reduce non-point source agricultural pollution through the application of BMPS.
Since 1992, the WQIP program has successfully recruited agricultural production land into Long
Term Agreements (LTAS) of three years. These LTAs assure the cost-share funded BMPs stay
established long enough to promote effectiveness. Project team members have designed a plan to
effectively promote and execute WQIP goals and see it as the cornerstone for future watershed
programs.
Results
In 1995, 2,744 acres of new LTAs were registered under the WQIP guidelines. Twenty-five
individual contracts have been signed encompassing approximately 3,200 acres of the watershed.
Long-Range Plan
Developing a long range plan using public stakeholder input will guide the direction of the
Indian Lake Watershed Project to develop a maintenance program monitoring strategy, and
diversify project areas and funding sources.
Results
After one year of researching and data gathering efforts, the final Long-Range Plan was
presented to the Indian Lake Joint Board of Supervisors in May, 1996. A press conference was
conducted to present the plan to local media and citizens of the Indian Lake Watershed. Copies
(both in hard copy and electronically) were placed in the Indian Lake Watershed Project office
and library of files. The long-range plan is a guide to determine the types of programs needed.
The program action steps described here are the compilation of the ideas which the public
expressed through the formal and informal methods used to gather stakeholder input. A complete
account of the results from the two public surveys can be found in Section 14.
"HELP Water Quality" Fact Sheet Manual
The "Home and Environmental tips Leading to the Protection of Water Quality" (HELP
WQ) Fact
Sheet Manual was created to promote awareness of what affects water quality; to provide
maintenance answers for correcting home lot problems; to provide immediate answers to specific
questions concerning soil conservation and water quality; to develop a public awareness about
the services of local agencies; to begin a networking relationship among local agencies and
area businesses; to maintain the water quality of the area; to enhance the economic value of
the area; to improve the environment and value of personal property; to reduce the non-point
source pollution from the urban region of the Indian Lake Watershed; and to assist the
homeowner in a better return on his/her investment.
Results
"Help Water Quality" notebooks have been distributed to various watershed businesses, agencies
and lending institutions to aid homeowners with various water quality issues. At the present
time, there has not been yearly home owner and home buyer meetings conducted to determine the
needs for any additional fact sheets or updating the existing ones.
Filter Strip Establishment Program
The purpose of this program is to remove nutrients, sediment, organic matter and some pesticides
from surface flow or near root zone groundwater by deposition, absorption, plant uptake,
denitrification, and other processes, with a goal of reducing pollution and protecting surface
water and groundwater quality. To qualify, the land must be located next to one of the major
tributaries of Indian Lake or stream or ditch draining into any of the tributaries. The filter
strip for grass must be no less than 15 feet and no more than 100 feet in width; for trees no
less than 20 feet and no more than 100 feet in width. This measurement will be from the top of
crop line or top of ditch determined by NRCS Soil Conservationists. To qualify, a participant
must have an approved conservation plan and maintain the practice for five years following
establishment or all monies must be repaid. Haying is permitted on grassed filter strips,
however, grazing is not permitted.
Results
There are currently 255 acres of filter strips in the watershed. To date the Blackhawk
tributary has banks completely converted to filter strips on cropland areas. The Van Horn
tributary has 90 percent coverage which will help decrease the sediment and nutrients flowing
into the Lake. Using NRCS figures, each acre of filter strips equates to a one ton/acre/year
in soil savings. To date the project has saved a cumulative total of 762 ton/acre/year through
the filter strip program.
Integrated Farm Management for the Amish Community
There are approximately 20 full-time and 30 part-time Amish family farms within the Indian Lake
Watershed. Much of the land operated by the Amish family farms lies within the 1000 foot
corridor. Therefore, it is of special interest to reach this segment as most have not adopted
Best Management Practices (BMPS) on their farms. An Integrated Farm Management Plan will be
developed for each Amish farm. Each plan will promote the use of BMPs including: pest
management, nutrient management, conservation tillage, crop rotation, and animal waste
management.
Results
To date, 11 farms which includes 22 family units have participated in the program. These are
innovative programs which are gaining interest among the Amish communities. Efforts are being
made to make the programs flexible and adaptable to individual Amish farm operations.
Master Watershed Stewards
This project will establish a water quality stewardship education program for volunteers. Once
individuals have completed a series of instructional sessions on water quality topics, they
will be required to donate 30 hours to present water quality programs and monitor streams within
the watershed. Each of the two yearly courses will recruit and train 15 volunteers for the
program. Volunteers will participate in 11 water quality education sessions. At the completion
of the sessions the volunteers will be asked to begin volunteering. This program will promote
education on water quality at various special events.
Results
The process of recruiting volunteers for the pilot group is currently underway. Training classes
will begin in May, 1996. More information about the Master Watershed Steward program can be
found in Section 11.
Livestock Exclusion & Filter Strip Projects
To promote the use of filter strips and livestock exclusion by the Amish community as Best
Management Practices, funds will be made available to establish 4,600 linear feet of fencing
for livestock exclusion, ten acres of grass filter strips, and four acres of tree filter strips
on Amish owned and operated land. The following criteria must be met by the property owner:
farm must be managed according to Amish cultural tradition, and must include cropped or grazed
land adjacent to a stream within the Indian Lake Watershed. Installation costs are estimated
as follows: $80/acre for grass filter strips; $450/acre for tree filter strips; $0.60/linear
foot for livestock exclusion fencing.
Results
Over 400 linear feet of streambank stabilization with one acre of grass filter strip have been
installed by one Amish property owner. Approximately 300 linear feet of temporary fencing has
been installed. Future goals are to work with the 20 full-time Amish farms on BMPS.
Evaluation
The Amish Programs, Master Watershed Stewards, Livestock Exclusion Demonstration and Filter
Strip Projects will be evaluated to assess and improve program delivery.
Results
Data is being compiled and the programs evaluated and up-dated continually. Once these long-term
projects are near completion a more in-depth evaluation of the programs and watershed impact
will be completed.
Streambank Protection & Restoration
This program is designed to implement streambank stabilization and rehabilitation demonstration
projects in the watershed. The program will be used to demonstrate willow postings, wattles,
brush packings, stream kickers, Christmas tree revetments, dwarf willows and woodland filter
strips. The following amounts have been used to date on stabilization projects:
| Stabilization Types & Usage |
|---|
| Wattles | 80 linear feet |
| Willow Postings | 320 linear feet |
| Branch Packings | 60 linear feet |
| Christmas Tree Revetments | 40 linear feet |
| Bio-Logs | 180 linear feet |
| Stream Kickers | 350 linear feet |
| Tree Plantings | 5 acres - 2,700 trees |
| Dwarf Willows | 250 linear feet |
| Stone Revetments (rip-rap) | 200 linear feet |
| Cedar Tree | 550 linear feet |
| Livestock Exclusion Fencing | 2,500 linear feet |
Results
Using the variety of practices listed above, three streambank stabilization sites have been
completed with a total of 1,350 linear feet of streambanks stabilized. Field days were held to
promote the demonstration projects and to show the various bio-engineering practices.
Soil Doctor
The three-year program with the Soil Doctor, a chemical equipment applicator, is a variable rate
fertilization BMP designed to demonstrate the application of site specific technology to crop
nitrogen application. Specifically, the intent is to show consistent or increased yields with
more efficient use and hopefully an overall reduction of nitrogen usage. In turn, this will
reduce the potential for nutrients to move off site and come in contact with surface and/or
groundwater. The Soil Doctor adjusts the nitrogen application rate based on current soil
nitrate levels. There are six demonstration sites of 20 acres each in the study.
Results
The preliminary results are complete but not conclusive. Dr. Jay Johnson, OSU Extension Soil
Fertility Specialist, will publish the results after completion of the three year study in the
fall of 1997.
Reduced Rate Herbicide
This program allows application of reduced rates of post-emergence herbicides by moving
application timing closer to the time of planting when weeds are smaller. Rates are reduced to
1/4 of the labeled rate when applied about six days after weed emergence, 1/2 of the labeled
rate up to 12 days after weed emergence, and full rate is applied in any later application.
The program has been targeted for the long-term no-till fields where soybeans are planted in
narrow rows (and preferably drilled). The program attempts to take advantage of the reduced
broadleaf weed pressure in no-till and the faster shading provided by narrow row soybeans.
Results
It was determined 1/4 rate applied twice has been most consistent and has proven to be as good
as full rates, per total weed control at a savings of an average of $10 per acre for the
agricultural producer. These Indian Lake Watershed results are consistent with results from
across Ohio compiled by Dr. Mark Loux, OSU Extension Weed Specialist.
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